Ahmedabad: In a bid to create a conducive ambience for "global business ecosystem" at the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), the Gujarat government in a first on Friday, rescinded the liquor ban in the area.
Thus, the place is exempted from prohibition which has been the norm all across the state. Mahatma Gandhi's native state has gone dry since its separation from the Bombay state in 1960. There has been a ban on the manufacture, storage, sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages.
"GIFT City has emerged as a global financial and technological hub which is bustling with economic activities. An important decision has been taken on Friday to change rules to allow `wine and dine' facilities in the GIFT City area to provide a global business ecosystem to global investors, technical experts and national and international companies," the state prohibition department stated in a statement.
"Under the new system, hotels, restaurants and clubs (existing and that will come up) in the GIFT City area will be given permits for wine and dine facilities," it said. However, such establishments will not be allowed to sell liquor bottles to people. "Those officially working in GIFT City area and their official guests will be able to go to such hotels, restaurants and clubs for wine and dine facilities," it added.
As per the new rules, owners and employees of companies in the GIFT City will be given liquor access permits. Temporary permits will be given to their visitors who can have a whale of a time on drinks in such hotels and restaurants. The state prohibition and excise department will also bring about changes in the import, storage and sale of liquor in the city. Currently, outsiders can only buy liquor from authorised outlets after obtaining a temporary permit.
The opposition Congress, however, has taken swipes at the move. "Look at the situation of women in the states where liquor is freely available. Families are getting destroyed. Liquor not only damages health but it also disturbs the social fabric. There is no proof that development can be achieved due to liquor. If that was true, then the states which do not have prohibition would be at the top of development charts," Congress leader Manish Doshi said.
The party has also lambasted the BJP government for exhibiting its double standards. "By legalizing sale and consumption of liquor 'in Gujarat of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel' the BJP government was exhibiting its double standards, and it does not want to implement prohibition properly," added Congress leader Hiren Banker.
Surat which houses the recently inaugurated world's largest office space - Surat Diamond Bourse, has also sought exemption from prohibition. Former chief minister Shankarsinh Vaghela too, had in the past asked for the removal of prohibition in the state.
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